Jan 16

Jan 16 Dreaming again

The summer between 11th and 12th grade of high-school I was thinking about college like most 17 year-olds. I dreamt about which university I would attend and what I would study. Who I would live with and what sports I'd play. The clubs I would join and the minor I would choose. That same summer I went on a short-term missions trip that changed my life. I was baptized that week and immediately heard God call me into international long-term missions! Wow! What a change!

My thoughts transformed from which university to which country. From who I would live with to how I would live. It was exciting to say the least! For my entire last year of high-school I was focused on this new dream. As friends sent in their college applications God opened up doors for me to serve Him in Chile with OM. The day after high-school graduation I started fundraising and January 2016 I caught a flight to Santiago, Chile; my new home!

I’ve lived here for one year and things have been busy! In November I got the chance to go on a group outreach to the south of Chile. Included in the trip was a Life Direction Seminar where we took time to examine ourselves and recognize our gifts, abilities, strengths and weaknesses, goals and dreams. So much changed this year; practically everything in my life is different than 365 days ago. That’s when I realized I hadn’t thought beyond Chile.

For over two years Chile had been my focus; in the year leading up to my trip I was focused on fundraising and making all of the preparations and when I arrived I immediately fell in love with the ministry and learning the language. I was focused on making friends and not getting lost in the metro and in all the busyness I hadn’t giving myself space or time to dream beyond Chile.

On that November outreach I began thinking about university again. I began thinking about countries to serve in and different languages to learn. I began thinking about local ministry, sports and traveling. I made a giant list titled “Things I’m thinking” because I couldn’t keep track as the thoughts flooded in. I felt like all of my unspoken dreams had built up inside of me and came pouring out all at once. It was incredible!

I have one more year in Chile, and I don’t want to waste a second. I want to soak up everything God wants to teach me, not missing a single opportunity to serve Him. More than anything I don’t want to get stuck looking to the future and miss the beautiful now. But I will say that it felt like a breath of fresh air to freely think about my future. I have no idea which (if any) of those dreams will come true, God has His perfect path for my life and I don’t want to stray off it even a little. God has given us passions and desires, and it’s fun to let ourselves dream.

What are you dreaming of?

OM Instagram

“OM Moldova day centre workers talk at an event where they have a booth set up to raise aid for vulnerable women and children. Photo by Garrett N.”

#OMblog Not finished yet
“I’ve started many posts for this blog over the past few months (note that it says started not finished). They all sit on my laptop desktop in a folder labelled ‘Blog posts in the works.’ Most of them start well-enough but soon trail off, losing speed and momentum. The train just never reaches the station and it becomes agony trying to pull it there.
Each blog post tackled an issue or challenge in my life. There’s the one about being stuck in a rut I began while sitting in a coffee shop avoiding work. That one about being single I wrote months back during a moment of self-pity. The one about dreaming big that started off really well and that one about saying goodbye that was hardly more than a handful of lines. Not to toot my own horn or anything – but they're really compelling!

So why couldn’t I finish any of them? For months I thought I had a severe case of writer’s block as I struggled to put pen to paper. I wrote emails, scribbled notes to myself and edited other people’s words but failed miserably every time it came to write about ‘me.’ A few days ago, I once again opened that folder and reread those half-finished musings for the twentieth time all the while complaining to God about the lack of words to complete those blog posts. Through my exasperation, I felt a gentle tug at my heart pulling me towards the voice of the Lord. “They aren’t finished cause you aren’t finished. I’m not done with you yet.””

New lives, new legacy #CostaRica

Angela is close friends with OM Costa Rica’s team members. She came to accept Christ after hearing the gospel and having many conversations with team members who shared scripture and times of prayer with her.
Angela is a widow with ten children, and many grandchildren. When asked recently how many grandchildren she had, she smiled, and said, “I don’t know, a lot.” There is a lot of joy in being a grandmother, and a story behind the last three.

The last three grandchildren that were born to her family, were named after previous and current OM Costa Rica team members: Roshani, Diego, and Benthe. Home visits are precious with this family, as one can see Benthe holding the one year old baby girl named after her. You can see Talamanca team leader, Diego, with a big smile holding little Diego, who is usually sleeping. Toddler Roshani takes turns wandering around the room to different people during the visits. According to Angela, there are no more grandchildren on the way, but she said with a wink that she has the next name already picked out from the team as well.

One never knows how much of an impact sharing a hug, smile, a kind word, a Bible verse, can have on someone over the years. For Angela, it has meant deep friendship and community so much so that her grandchildren’s names will always lead her to remember times with her OM family. What an honor, privilege, and legacy. To God be the glory for those serving the kingdom who impact those around them with such love that it carries over into naming the future generation.

“A fence scattered with bullet holes in contrast with the new life of spring tulips in the conflict zone of eastern Ukraine. Photo by Garrett N. ”

Art 'divides water' #Brazil
“A week before Christmas, Helen Schmidt Santos took a bus-load of artists to the First Baptist Church in Santo André (São Paulo). During the one day ArtsXpress event, the young artists – actors, dancers, musicians, and visual artists – presented workshops in the church. In the afternoon, they went around the neighbourhood, inviting people from the community to a final art-based presentation inside the church.
“A lot of things happen during the one day. We are not able to see everything” that goes on, Helen explained. Nonetheless, from her perspective as organiser and journalist, “we did all the things we were supposed to do, and then we came back. It was a nice event.” Months later, another OM worker returned to the church to follow up with a different ministry opportunity. Whilst connecting with church leadership, she asked how the previous event, ArtsXpress, had gone.

Using the Portuguese expression “divisor de águas” (dividing the waters), meaning ‘before and after,’ the pastor explained that the ArtsXpress training had totally changed the mind-set of the church. “We felt more motivated to use our talents, not to hide them. The teens saw that they can dance; they can have a group. The musicians, they were challenged that they can write songs; they can glorify the Lord with their talents,” he said.”

“A wooden up-cycled map of the world hangs in OM's base in Moldova, with the inscription, "We want to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached". Photo by Garrett N.”

#OM60years
Peter Maiden: Bringing structure to a pioneering movement

Throughout OM’s 60-year history, three men have led the movement: Founder George Verwer, Peter Maiden, and Lawrence Tong, the current leader. George’s ‘heir apparent’ for 20+ years, Peter Maiden became International Director in 2003, a role he held until 2013. OM talked with Peter and his wife, Win, about their 40+ years in OM, visiting nearly 100 countries, and the 10 years Peter served as OM’s International Director. Peter joined OM in 1973 as the United Kingdom director. “George asked me to come initially for a year,” Peter said, “and it’s certainly been a long year!”
OM: At what point did you know you would succeed George as the International Director?

Peter: I’d been the Associate International Director for close to 20 years. It was almost taken for granted because I had been working so closely with George. Still, there was a robust process to formalise my appointment, so I wasn’t sure until the final vote at the International Leaders Meetings (ILM) in 2002.

OM: What were your primary goals when taking over in August 2003? Did you feel you accomplished them?

Peter: It was a strange transition because, in my role as Associate, I’d been leading the ILM, the International Executive Committee (IEC) and the strategic planning process. I’d been part of forming those goals so, when I took over from George, it wasn’t an abrupt, ‘Let me pray and think through the goals.’ I was already doing it.

We were looking at integrated mission. We had been very strong on proclamation and wanted to keep that, but realised that in many parts of the world our ministry had to be to the whole person and community. As part of holistic mission, we were also looking at how a person’s gifting could be used in mission; we were looking at the use of sport, business, dance and more in our mission strategy. OM’s leadership had been very Western-dominated, and we were seeking to make the movement more comfortable for non-Western people to move into significant responsibility. We only took the first steps in this transition; Lawrence has carried that forward much further.

A pastor of a church within Ukraine's conflict zone. OM #Ukraine provides aid to chaplains, pastors and churches working on the front line of Ukraine's military conflict. Photo by Garrett N.

Prayer before the picnic. OM hosts picnics for local believers, unbelievers and internally displaced peoples. Photo by Garrett N.

“I was at an airport the other day. A bit early, I had some extra time before boarding, so I decided to get some coffee, sit in a quiet corner and read. I ordered and had a quick chat with the cashiers as they didn’t seem very busy either then went to get my coffee. The barista had just finished and handed it to me. I looked at her, smiled, and said “Thank you." Now, all this is very mundane, nothing exciting, so you might wonder why I am even mentioning it.
And you are right, it is mundane. But the reason why I am telling you is because of what happened next – the girl looked at me, smiled, and said “You are the first person today that said thank you.” Let’s pause here. To give some context, it’s important to know that all of this happened in the Western world, a world that values time. It happened in an airport, a place where people often rushing to get on places, tired from a long journey or are maybe anxious or excited, depending on what is ahead of them. It is a place where different people come together, all with their own stories, burdens and feelings. That being said, none of them had thanked the barista for making their coffee that day. None of them had had time for common courtesy, to simply acknowledge the human behind the counter, the person who made their coffee.

This might happen less in a country outside of the Northern hemisphere – I don’t know, – but no matter the country, our lives seem to be busy. We are involved with Christian work, ministries, helping people – all of which is great. The work seems endless and there is always so much to be improved upon, so much still to be done.
In all that busyness, in the seemingly constant catch up-game of life and work, it is sometimes easy to forget the importance of the mundane, the importance of a simple thank you at an airport coffee shop.
If we forget to say thank you to the people around us, in our ministries and in life in general, we teach them something. We teach them that as Christians, the work is more important than the person. Our reports tell about the number of things done rather than the person who felt appreciated, who felt seen and loved.
Read the full story at #OMblog

As the Bus4Life travels through Moldova, young visitors show a great interest in the various forms of Children's Bibles on offer.

#OM60years Being a go-fer for George Verwer

Most people recognise OM Founder George Verwer from his world map windbreaker and the giant globe he throws around at speaking engagements. Those closer to him know that he is the king of correspondence, always in touch via email, letters and calls. But one group of men have spent the most hours with George and likely been the most impacted—his ‘go-fers’. Travelling with him for a year, they help keep up with emails, sell books and act as chauffeur, bodyguard, errand boy and whatever else George needs. In return, his go-fers go everywhere with him. George told his 2005 go-fer Nathan Smith, “I will take you all over the world. I will give you meaningful opportunities to serve. I will offer you the ability to do some incredible things.” One of those meaningful opportunities for Nigel Paul, go-fer in 2006, was preaching at a house church in Al-Qaeda territory in Pakistan.

The lessons go-fers have learnt from George will never be forgotten.

Becoming a go-fer

The first time Nathan heard George speak, he was a student at Moody Bible Institute. “The place was electrified by him being there,” remembers Nathan. “He talked openly about his struggle with sin. And yet he grew this amazing organisation that reached over a billion people with the gospel.” Nathan recalls him putting his hand on the outline of Iraq on the globe and praying for his friends there. Nathan was blown away imagining having friends in Iraq and all over the world. He thought, “It would be the coolest thing to travel with George…but that would never happen to me.” Yet two years later, Nathan was boarding a plane to meet George in London and remembers thinking, “Lord, you heard me and gave me this opportunity.” With George, Nathan travelled to 39 countries. The last country was Iraq, where Nathan could now say he had friends too.

George’s legacy

Nathan learnt two major things. The first was that God uses broken people, and that was how George operated within OM: He never said no to someone who wanted to serve, even if they disagreed with him theologically.

Lovely covered markets provide cultural interactions in the Arabian Peninsula.
Photo by Kathryn Berry

#Repost @thefcusa (@get_repost)
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These photos sum up what an amazing time we've had in Colorado - we are sad to be leaving but we come away with so many great memories, new friendships, a few blisters!, and a much deeper awareness of what it means to fight for freedom for those women and children trapped in slavery today. We are so grateful to everyone who has taken part - we love your passion and commitment, your energy and your desire to make a difference in the world. And we are so thankful to everyone who's supported us by donating and by praying - we couldn't do this without you! There is still time to give if you would like to support these wonderful ladies in their efforts! Link in bio.⠀
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#EP2017 #FreedomChallengeEstesPark2017 #YourChallengeTheirFreedom #FreedomChallenge #Colorado

#OM60years #Sportministry #Hungary #Baseball
Bringing Christ to the youth of Hungary
The impact of baseball as an outreach tool has grown far beyond a one-week camp that OM worker Terry Lingenhoel, from the USA, began in the summer of 2002 in Érd, Hungary. Today, with over 120 players on eight teams, the Érd Baseball and Softball Club is the largest in the country.
Although only a small percentage of the population plays baseball in Érd, a town of 75,000, most residents know that it is played there, and most city officials and hundreds of parents and former players know that the coaches are followers of Christ who coach differently.

Terry has found sports ministry to be the best tool in reaching non-churched youth and forming long-term relationships. The response of players testifies to its influence. During a recent summer camp, one player said that his best experience was when his coach encouraged his hitting during his very first practice years ago, despite the way he had played. Another player said that the spiritual input received from coaches was “the icing on the cake”. “Making contact with players is the most important thing,” says Terry. Often Christians have trouble making contact with teens and men, as many do not readily respond to an invitation to come to a church event—but they’ll accept an invitation to play baseball.

The coaches interact with players two or more times weekly during practice, giving ample opportunity to demonstrate and share their faith. Summer camps give extended times to hold Bible studies in small groups; during such a time, one young boy, Máté, was challenged to ask God to reveal Himself. Asked why he did not believe in God, he responded that he didn’t know how a God who knew his past could love him.

During the study, the group discussed how God used Paul, who was the worst of the worst, and made him into a most effective preacher of the gospel. One week after the camp, Máté accepted Christ. The team rejoiced at the news of one new life given to the Lord. Two other boys who had already accepted Christ were baptised a few months later in front of many of their baseball team.

One of the most well-known and often-quoted passages of Scripture came from the mouth of Jesus in Matthew 28, when He said to go into all the world and make disciples. Its context, in our modern-day usage, is evangelism, with an emphasis on going; and yet, for various reasons, we Christ-followers have a hard time on the ‘go.’ We love to talk about it, but when it comes to acting on it, we just can’t seem to get on board. The general opinion is that we are too scared of rejection; I’m guilty of this—before I joined OM I had only done evangelism once before in my life. But rejection is an inevitable outcome of evangelism. Jesus Himself preached to thousands in His three years of ministry and after He ascended to heaven in Acts 1 His number of followers is recorded at 120. Plenty of people rejected Christ Himself and so we can expect they will reject us too.

One of the first things I did when I joined OM was the Africa Trek, a three-month missions discipleship programme that took me and 17 others through Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. Before we set off on our journey, we spent two weeks in South Africa covering the basics of the Christian faith and missions involvement. Topics included faith and the Christian life and our relationship to others through evangelism — specifically in the context of international missions. During this time of discipleship training we went to a nearby mall for some evangelism — the prospect of which terrified me seeing as how I wasn’t exactly a proficient evangelist. I’m not one to walk up to strangers and talk about anything, let alone a topic that could potentially leave the other person laughing and calling me a weirdo.

But before we went out, we discussed John 6:44 and its relationship to evangelism: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day (NIV).” Our Trek Leader relieved me of an incredible pressure when he reminded us that the work of saving people is God’s business, not ours. We don’t have to carry the burden of drawing people to God; that’s something only He can do.

Instead, my leader explained to us the concept of “switching on the light”

MDT-e3 students taking a walk with the kids in a Romanian village.
#ilovemdt #training #Romania

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